Intraocular lens implant having eye accommodating capabilities
OwnerRandall Woodsinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An improved intraocular lens (28) is provided which more closely mimics the accommodation and focusing of the eye's natural lens. The lens (28) includes a central optic (30) together with a resilient positioning element (38) including a plurality of spaced-apart positioning legs (44) with openings (46) therebetween. The element (38) is configured so that the equatorial segment (48) thereof is maintained in substantial contact with at least a part of the corresponding equatorial portion (27) of the capsule (20), during essentially all orientations of the lens (28) within the capsule (20). A thin membrane (56) may be used to cover the openings (46) to thereby impede the passage of cells into the lens (28).
Claims19
An accommodating intraocular lens for implantation substantially within the confines of the capsule of a human eye between the anterior and posterior capsule walls, there being zonule elastin tissue disposed about the equatorial portion of said capsule, said lens comprising:
- a single optic presenting an anterior surface;
- and
- a resilient optic positioning element coupled to the optic to cooperatively present a shape that generally conforms to the shape of the capsule,
- said optic positioning element presenting a posterior face that is configured for yieldable engagement with the posterior capsule wall, an anterior face configured for yieldable engagement with the anterior wall of the capsule, and an equatorial segment between said posterior and anterior faces,
- said optic positioning element operable to substantially maintain the equatorial segment thereof in contact with at least a portion of said capsule equatorial portion in essentially all orientations of said lens within said capsule.
An accommodating intraocular lens for implantation substantially within the confines of the capsule of a human eye between the anterior and posterior capsule walls, there being zonule elastin tissue disposed about the equatorial portion of said capsule, said lens comprising:
- a single optic presenting an anterior surface;
- and
- a resilient optic positioning element coupled to the optic to cooperatively present a shape that generally conforms to the shape of the capsule,
- said optic positioning element presenting a posterior face that is configured for yieldable engagement with the posterior capsule wall, an anterior face configured for yieldable engagement with the anterior wall of the capsule, and an equatorial segment between said posterior and anterior faces,
- said optic positioning element operable to substantially maintain the equatorial segment thereof in contact with at least a portion of said capsule equatorial portion in essentially all orientations of said lens within said capsule,
- said optic and said optic positioning element cooperatively forming a chamber,
- said optic positioning element posterior face including an opening therethrough communicating with said chamber,
- the outside diameter of said equatorial segment being from about 9-11 mm,
- the outside polar dimension of said lens being from about 2-4 mm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.